Dual trailer hitch

ABSTRACT

A trailer hitch includes multiple hitch connectors for connecting the trailer to a towing vehicle in different ways. The trailer hitch includes multiple connectors at distal ends of the hitch body. The trailer hitch can be position such that either end is facing the towing vehicle. Mounting plates secure the trailer hitch to the trailer frame and may be adjustable vertically to raise or lower the height of the trailer hitch with respect to the trailer frame.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/834,108, filed Aug. 6, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to trailers for carrying a welding powersupply, and more particularly, to trailers having a multi-functionaltrailer hitch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trailers are well known to carry a payload during travel between sites.Some trailers carry materials, tools or equipment to and from locationssuch as a construction work site. In one instance, the trailer may carrya welding power supply, which may be used at the work site. The trailerstypically include a frame and ground engaging wheels connected to one ormore axles. A trailer bed carries the cargo and may be enclosed byceiling and side walls. A trailer hitch connects the trailer to a towingvehicle.

Frequently, welding is required where supply power may not be readilyavailable. As such, the welding power supply may be an engine drivenwelding power supply incorporating a generator. The generator may supplypower to the welder as well as to other power tools as may be needed onsite. As different applications require different versions of weldersand power tools, the trailer may be designed to carry one of manydifferent types of welding power supplies.

Different types of trailer hitches are known in the art for attachingtrailers to the towing vehicle. One type of hitch system uses a ballhitch. Typically, ball hitches include a generally spherical shaped ballwith a stem extending from a base. The stem may engage a head mounted onthe towing vehicle using a ball hitch fitting. A coupling member mayengage the ball hitch in loose contact with the head and may be securedthereto in preparation for towing. Other types of hitches includelunette eye couplers. The lunette type tongue includes a rigid, durable,hitch ring or eye in the shape of a torus, which can be placed over orsecured to a vertical post or pin on the vehicle. While the lunette eyeallows a certain amount of vertical movement of the trailer tongue alongthe vertical post, the primary movement is horizontal in nature. Lunetteeye trailers are particularly advantageous for construction equipmentand other heavy-duty off-road type usage. A lunette hitch obviates theneed for sockets and other closed hitching structures that are subjectto corrosion, dirt collection and deterioration when exposed to weatherand other severe operating conditions.

Typically trailers utilize one particular type of hitch. A ball hitchmay be used to tow a trailer over even terrain like paved roadwaysurfaces. A lunette eye hitch may be used when towing over uneven bumpyground including ruts such as may be found at a construction site oralong a pipeline. The lunette eye hitch allows for greater movementbetween the towing vehicle and the trailer as may be needed in thesecircumstances. However, a trailer may need to be towed over both unevenand smooth surfaces. But this requires removing and replacing the hitch,which is often not possible or practical. Hitches used today do notincorporate a versatile multi-functional device that will easily obviatethis problem.

In view of the current state of the art, there is a need for a trailerand hitch system that can easily switch between different types of hitchsystems. The embodiments of the present invention obviate theaforementioned aspects of trailer hitches by including a new and novelhitch system that incorporates dual trailer hitch connectors in a singlehitch device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present invention are directed to hitchingdevices for towing a trailer that include a hitch body portion havingfirst and second sides, of which the hitch body portion may besubstantially rigid. The hitch body portion may include a first hitchconnector extending from the first side of the hitch body portion and asecond hitch connector extending from the second side of the hitch bodyportion, where the first hitch connector is substantially different fromthe second hitch connector.

In one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention the firsthitch connector is selectively removable from the hitch body portion.

In another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention at leastone of the first or second hitch connectors may be a ball hitchconnector. The other hitch connector may be a lunette eye connector.

In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention theheight of the hitch body portion is selectively adjustable with respectto the associated trailer. The longitudinal position of the hitch bodyportion may also selectively adjustable.

In still another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention thehitch body portion may include one or more sets of apertures andfasteners for affixing the hitch body portion to the associated trailer.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a trailer hitch fortowing an associated trailer that includes a hitch body portion having afirst side and a first hitch connector extending from the first side ofthe hitch body portion. A second hitch connector may be received atleast partially within the hitch body portion, where the second hitchconnector extends from the first side of the hitch body portion and maybe selectively retractable with respect to the first hitch connector.

One aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes a firsthitch connector that is substantially different from the second hitchconnector portion.

Another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention includes asecond hitch connector that is pivotally connected to the hitch bodyportion, and wherein the second hitch connector is positioned to engagean associated towing device in a first position and retracted into thehitch body portion in a second position.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention a trailer includes atrailer frame having a payload region and at least a first groundengaging wheel rotatably connected with respect to the trailer frame.The trailer further includes a trailer hitch operatively connected tothe trailer frame, where the trailer hitch comprises a hitch bodyportion having first and second sides, a first hitch connector extendingfrom the first side of the hitch body portion, and a second hitchconnector operatively connected to the hitch body portion, and whereinthe first hitch connector is substantially different from the secondhitch connector portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a welder and a trailer incorporating adual hitch according to the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of a trailer and dual hitch according tothe embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of a trailer and dual hitch according tothe embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 a is a top view of a dual hitch according to the embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 b is a side view of a dual hitch according to the embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dual hitch assembly according to theembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dual hitch assembly according to theembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes oflimiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a trailer 2 incorporating a useful andnovel trailer hitch or hitching device, depicted generally at 1. Thetrailer 2 may include a trailer frame 4 and one or more trailer wheels 5in rotational connection with the trailer frame 4 and may furtherinclude a payload region 7 for carrying one or more cargo items, whichin an exemplary manner may be a welding power supply 9 or an enginedriven welding power supply 9. The trailer 2 may also include anadjustable stand 11 for adjusting the height of the front end 13 of thetrailer 2. However, any means may be used for raising and/or loweringthe front end 13 of the trailer 2. The trailer hitch 1 may be agenerally longitudinal and substantially rigid trailer hitch 1 and maybe attached to the frame 4 via fasteners 15, which may be threadedbolts. In one embodiment, the trailer hitch 1 may be a dual trailerhitch 1 having a hitch body portion 23 and first and second trailerhitch connectors 20 and 40 extending from distal ends of the trailerhitch 1. Accordingly, the first end 22 of the trailer hitch 1 mayinclude a ball hitch connector 20′ and the second end 42 of the trailerhitch 1 may include a lunette eye connector 40′. In this manner, thetrailer hitch 1 may include first and second substantially differenttrailer hitch connectors extending from distal ends of the hitch bodyportion 23.

With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the trailer hitch 1 may beselectively adjustable to position the trailer hitch 1 for connecting toone or more different types of towing vehicle mounts. In one embodiment,the trailer hitch 1 may include one or more mounting plates 16 forconnecting the hitch body portion 23 to the trailer frame 4. Themounting plates 16 may be affixed to the trailer frame 4 by way offasteners 15 as mentioned above, which may be threaded bolts, rigidstuds, quick release pins or any other type of mechanism suitable forattaching the hitch body portion 23 to the trailer frame 4. It is notedthat the fasteners 15 may be selectively removable fasteners 15 forallowing the operator to detach, reposition and reattach the trailerhitch 1 quickly and easily. In this way, the operator may selectivelyposition the trailer hitch 1 in one or more orientations for connectingto a specific type of towing vehicle mount. The mounting plates 16 maylikewise be affixed to the hitch body portion 23 via selectivelyremovable fasteners 15. However, it is also contemplated that themounting plates 16 may be fixedly attached to the hitch body portion 23such as, for example, by welding. In another embodiment the mountingplates 16 may be integrally formed with the hitch body portion 23. Thecross section of the hitch body portion 23 may conform to the trailerframe 4 for securely connecting the components together as mentionedabove. In an exemplary manner, the trailer frame 4 may be constructedfrom rigid square tubing. Accordingly, the hitch body portion 23 mayhave a substantially U-shaped cross section with dimensionsproportionate to the square tubing thus providing a secure connectionbetween the components. However, it is to be construed that any type andconfiguration of trailer frame, and any type or configuration of hitchbody portion may be chosen as is appropriate for use with theembodiments of the present invention.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the height of the trailer hitch 1may also be selectively adjustable. That is to say that the trailerhitch 1 may be adjustable to raise or lower the height of the trailerhitch connectors 20 and 40 with respect to the trailer frame 4. In oneembodiment, the mounting plates 16 may have one or more sets ofapertures 19 vertically fashioned therein for fastening the trailerhitch 1 to the trailer frame 4 at different positions. The operator mayselect the desired height of the trailer hitch 1 by matching therespective apertures 19 of the mounting plates 16 to holes in thetrailer frame 4 and thereafter attaching the trailer hitch 1 with thefasteners 15. It is noted that the mounting plates 16 may have anydimension and/or any number or apertures 19 as chosen with soundengineering judgment. A person of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that the trailer hitch 1, in this manner, is discretelypositionable (positionable in a finite number of positions). However,other embodiments are contemplated that provide for infinite positioningthrough a range of heights. Still, any manner of adjusting the height ofthe trailer hitch 1 with respect to the trailer frame 4 may be chosenwith sound engineering judgment.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, as mentioned above the trailer hitch1 may include first and second different trailer hitch connectors 20 and40. One or more of the trailer hitch connectors 20 and 40 may beremovable from the hitch body portion 23. In one embodiment, the ballhitch connector 20′ may be selectively removable. Fasteners 26 may holdthe ball hitch connector 20′ in place during use. When desired, the ballhitch connector 20′ may be unfastened and detached. A replacementtrailer hitch connector may then be installed in its place or thetrailer hitch 1 may be utilized with only a single trailer hitchconnector 40. The replacement trailer hitch connector may be of the sametype and size connector, a different size connector or a different typeof connector altogether. In fact, any type of replacement may be chosenas is appropriate for use with the embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, operation of the trailer hitch 1will now be discussed. The operator may disconnect the trailer 2 fromthe towing vehicle, not shown. The operator may then uninstall thefasteners 15 and remove the trailer hitch 2 from the trailer frame 14.If desired, the first trailer hitch connector 20 may be disassembled andsubstituted with a replacement trailer hitch connector. The operator maythen position either end of the trailer hitch 1 as desired forconnecting to the towing vehicle. The fasteners 15 may then bere-installed and the trailer 1 reconnected to the towing vehicle. Ifdesired, the operator may install the trailer hitch 1 at a differentheight by inserting the fasteners 15 into a different set of apertures19.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, another embodiment of the subjectinvention includes a trailer hitch 1 having first and secondsubstantially different trailer hitch connectors 20 and 40 extendingsubstantially from the same end of the hitch body portion 23. In thisembodiment, one of the first and second trailer hitch connectors 20 and40 may be retractable with respect to the other trailer hitch connector40 and 20. The first trailer hitch connector 20 may be pivotally mountedwithin the body hitch portion 23 of the trailer hitch 1 via an axlemember 27. When required for use, the first trailer hitch connector 20may be extended from the hitch body portion 23 into position forconnecting to a towing vehicle. A locking mechanism 28, which may be apin 28, may then be inserted to secure the first hitch connector inplace with respect to the hitch body portion 23. To use the second hitchconnector 40, the operator may remove the locking mechanism 28, pivotthe first hitch connector 20 back into the hitch body portion 23 andsecure the locking mechanism in place thus retracting the first hitchconnector 20. It will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in theart that the axle member 27 and locking mechanism 28 may be completelyremoved whereby the first hitch connector 20 may be replaced with areplacement hitch connector of any type and having any size orconfiguration chosen with sound engineering judgment. The second hitchconnector 40, which may be a lunette eye hitch connector 40′, may befixedly connected to the hitch body portion 23. With the first hitchconnector 20 retracted, the second hitch connector 40 remains inposition and ready for connecting to a towing vehicle. The presentembodiment therefore describes a retracting hitch member that pivotsinto and out of engagement with a towing vehicle mount. It is alsocontemplated that the retracting hitch member may longitudinally slideinto and out of engagement with a towing vehicle mount. Similarly,locking mechanism 28 may be used to secure the position of the firsthitch connector 20.

The invention has been described herein with reference to the preferredembodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It isintended to include all such modifications and alternations in so far asthey come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalencethereof.

1. A trailer, comprising: a trailer frame having a payload region; atleast a first ground engaging wheel rotatably connected with respect tothe trailer frame; a trailer hitch operatively connected to the trailerframe, the trailer hitch including a hitch body portion having first andsecond sides, wherein the hitch body portion is selectively adjustablewith respect to the associated trailer; a first hitch connectorextending from the first side of the hitch body portion; a second hitchconnector operatively connected to the hitch body portion, wherein thefirst hitch connector is substantially different from the second hitchconnector portion; at least a first mounting plate operatively attachedto the hitch body portion, wherein the at least a first mounting plateincludes at least first and second sets of apertures for selectivelyadjusting the mounting height of the trailer hitch; and, one or morefasteners for fixedly mounting the hitch body portion to the associatedtrailer.
 2. The trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein the second hitchconnector extends from the second side of the hitch body portion.
 3. Thetrailer as defined in claim 2, wherein the second hitch connector isselectively detachable from the hitch body portion.
 4. The trailer asdefined in claim 3, wherein the height of the second hitch connector isselectively adjustable with respect to the trailer frame.
 5. The traileras defined in claim 1, wherein the second hitch connector extends fromthe first side of the hitch body portion; and wherein the second hitchconnector is retractable with respect to the first hitch connector. 6.The trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein the second hitch connector ispivotally connected to the hitch body portion; and wherein the secondhitch connector is positioned to engage an associated towing device in afirst position, and wherein the second hitch connector is retracted intothe hitch body portion in a second position.
 7. The trailer as definedin claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second hitch connectorsis a ball hitch connector.
 8. The trailer as defined in claim 1, whereinthe first hitch connectors is a lunette eye hitch connector.
 9. Atrailer, comprising: a trailer frame having a payload region; at least afirst ground engaging wheel rotatably connected with respect to thetrailer frame; a trailer hitch operatively connected to the trailerframe, the trailer hitch comprising means for selectively adjusting atleast a portion of the trailer hitch with respect to the associatedtrailer; a first means for hitching the trailer extending from a firstside of the means for selectively adjusting at least a portion of thetrailer hitch; a second means for hitching the trailer operativelyconnected to the means for selectively adjusting at least a portion ofthe trailer hitch, wherein the a first means for hitching issubstantially different from the second means for hitching; means forselectively adjusting the mounting height of the trailer hitchoperatively attached to the means for selectively adjusting at least aportion of the trailer hitch; and, means for fixedly mounting thetrailer hitch to the associated trailer.
 10. The trailer as defined inclaim 9, wherein the second means for hitching extends from a secondside of the means for selectively adjusting at least a portion of thetrailer hitch.
 11. The trailer as defined in claim 9, wherein the secondmeans for hitching is selectively detachable from the trailer hitch. 12.The trailer as defined in claim 9, wherein the height of the secondmeans for hitching is selectively adjustable with respect to the trailerframe.
 13. The trailer as defined in claim 9, wherein the second meansfor hitching extends from the first side of the means for selectivelyadjusting at least a portion of the trailer hitch; and wherein thesecond means for hitching is retractable with respect to the first meansfor hitching.
 14. The trailer as defined in claim 9, wherein the secondmeans for hitching is pivotally connected to the means for selectivelyadjusting at least a portion of the trailer hitch; and wherein thesecond means for hitching is positioned to engage an associated towingdevice in a first position, and wherein the second means for hitching isretracted in a second position.